Chapter 9: The Ceremony - When Worlds Collide

"I guess I have no choice," Seren replied, her voice a little lighter than before.

"I don't know," Maya said from the window, turning to face them. "If I had to marry some cold, emotionless guy like Kael, I'd be running for the hills."

Seren smirked at her friend. "Tell me about it."

Vivia, always the optimist, shook her head. "You can do this, Seren. You're a force to be reckoned with. Kael won't know what hit him."

Seren's smile faltered. "I hope so."

************************************************

And then, it was time. The clock ticked down, and the guests began to fill the expansive hall. The Velyne estate's grand ballroom was transformed into an otherworldly space, full of opulence and grandeur. A thousand white roses lined the aisle, creating a heavenly scent that seemed to echo with each step taken. The chandeliers overhead cast a soft, romantic glow over everything, reflecting the warm ambiance of the room.

Seren entered, escorted by her father. Her gown shimmered as she walked down the aisle, and for the first time, her nerves seemed to settle. The music swelled around her, the sound echoing through the room. Every eye was on her, but it didn't matter. She was stepping into a new life, one full of unknowns.

Kael stood at the altar, his jaw clenched. His eyes scanned her as she walked toward him, and though he said nothing, there was something in his gaze—a flicker of emotion that surprised even him.

The guests were a who's who of the business, military, and political elite, each one watching with bated breath as the two worlds of the Delyths and the Velynes collided in a marriage of necessity. The best man, Elliot, stood by Kael's side, his playful grin barely concealed, and the bridesmaids flanked Seren, looking every bit as beautiful as she did.

And so, the moment came. The vows, the promises, the ceremony. A marriage that was more than just a union of hearts—it was a union of power, legacy, and legacy.

Seren couldn't help but wonder if she would ever see the man before her as anything more than a distant stranger.

But that was for another day.

The grand ballroom of the Velyne estate was a vision of opulence. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting delicate prisms of light across the room, and the walls were adorned with tapestries depicting the Velyne family crest in rich golds and deep blues. The marble floors gleamed underfoot, reflecting the countless candles that lined the edges of the space, their flames dancing softly in the air.

The air was thick with the scent of freshly cut flowers—white roses, lilies, and gardenias—arranged in towering vases on either side of the aisle. The moment Seren entered, a hush fell over the crowd, as though the very air itself had stopped to take in her presence.

Her heart pounded in her chest, but as she walked toward the altar, the world seemed to blur. She wasn't sure if it was the heat of the moment or the overwhelming number of eyes on her, but the only thing that felt real was the steady hand of her father, holding hers firmly as they moved forward.

Every step she took was punctuated by the delicate rustling of her wedding gown, a stunning creation of silk and lace. The dress was fit for a queen, with intricate beadwork that caught the light with every movement, and a train that followed her like a veil of mist. She couldn't help but feel like she was stepping into another world—one where she had no idea what to expect, but one she was supposed to inhabit, nonetheless.

And there, at the altar, stood Kael Velyne.

His back was straight, his features set in the expression he always wore—unwavering, stoic, and completely unreadable. His black tuxedo, perfectly tailored, gave him the appearance of a man who lived in a world of order and precision, a man who never allowed anything to shake his calm exterior. His dark eyes met hers briefly, and for the first time since they had met, Seren noticed something—a flicker of emotion. It wasn't warmth, nor affection, but it was a shift, a crack in the armor that he usually kept so tightly in place.

She couldn't help but wonder if it was disappointment, or maybe it was simply the weight of what was happening.

Kael's expression was unreadable as he caught sight of her, and yet, there was a flicker in his eyes that didn't escape Elliot's notice.

This was the moment they had all been waiting for. The beginning of a journey, full of unknowns and expectations.

Kael's gaze didn't linger. He didn't smile. He didn't say anything. Instead, his attention moved back to the front, where the officiant waited to begin the ceremony.

Seren reached the altar and, with a practiced, graceful motion, her father placed her hand in Kael's. The brief touch felt colder than it should have, as though the very air between them had frozen. She forced a smile, but Kael didn't return it. Not that she expected him to.

The guests, a mixture of high-profile business tycoons, politicians, military leaders, and dignitaries from across the world, sat quietly in their seats. It was a crowd that expected perfection, that craved the image of flawless unity, and Seren could feel the weight of their gazes like a thousand eyes pressing into her back.

At the front of the room, Elliot stood beside Kael, his ever-present grin barely contained as he adjusted his tie. Elliot had been Kael's best friend for years, and despite the formality of the occasion, he still managed to bring his laid-back charm into every situation. His mischievous glances, the small smirks, and his ability to lighten the mood with just the right words were always a comfort, even in the most tense of moments.

On the other side of the aisle stood Seren's bridesmaids—Vivia, Maya, and a few of her closest childhood friends. They were stunning, of course, wearing emerald-green gowns that shimmered like the night sky. Vivia stood with her usual air of confidence, her sharp eyes scanning the room with curiosity, while Maya, ever the skeptic, couldn't help but glance between Seren and Kael with raised eyebrows. The two of them were like oil and water, but the bond between them was undeniable.

As the ceremony began, the officiant's voice cut through the tense silence. He spoke in a calm, measured tone, as though every word was carefully chosen. "We are gathered here today to witness the union of Seren Delyth and Kael Velyne—a union not just of hearts, but of two great families, two legacies, and a future that will shape the world around them."

Seren barely registered the priest's words.

Seren felt her stomach tighten at the mention of the word "legacy." That's what this was, wasn't it? A legacy. An arrangement that would create the foundation for future power, influence, and alliances. A marriage between two names, two families, not two people.

The officiant continued, his voice reverberating in the hall. "Do you, Kael Velyne, take this woman, Seren Delyth, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in times of joy and sorrow, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

Kael's voice was steady, without hesitation, though there was no warmth behind it. "I do."

Seren swallowed. The weight of his words fell like stones into her heart. She hadn't expected any great declaration of love, but it was hard not to feel the absence of any true emotion in the exchange.

The officiant then turned to Seren. "And do you, Seren Delyth, take this man, Kael Velyne, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in times of joy and sorrow, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

Seren hesitated, her gaze meeting Kael's for the briefest of moments. She had already made her choice, but the enormity of it hit her like a wave. There was no turning back now.

"I do," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, but steady nonetheless.

Vows were exchanged.

The officiant smiled, signaling the exchange of rings. Kael took her hand with the same coldness as before, his fingers brushing against hers like the touch of a stranger. The ring he slipped onto her finger was simple, elegant—a platinum band with a single diamond set into it. It was beautiful, but it felt like a chain, heavy and unyielding.

Her turn came, and she placed the ring onto his finger, her hand trembling slightly, though she quickly masked it. He barely reacted, though his sharp gaze flickered for a moment.

Rings were slipped onto fingers.

And then—

"You may kiss the bride," the officiant declared, his voice carrying through the room.

Kael moved first.

His hand tilted her chin up, his touch featherlight yet firm.

His lips met hers.